Red Bull appeal begins

Red Bull Racing get to air their argument against Daniel Ricciardo’s Australian Grand Prix disqualification in Australia today.

Red Bull Racing have previously put on the charm in Malaysia, arguing their case ahead of the appeal hearing which is heard in Paris today.

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was speaking to all the worlds media outlets, putting the teams spin on why they ignored calls from the FIA to make the necessary changes to be compliant with the fuel flow rules throughout the Australian Grand Prix race weekend.

The argument came in regards to the FIA homologated fuel flow sensor which the technical regulations require teams to measure the fuel-flow.

Red Bull’s claims have been consistent throughout. They believe there were inconsistencies with the FIA fuel flow meter throughout the Australian Grand Prix weekend, which was why they ignored instructions from FIA race director Charlie Whiting which came twice after qualifying and five laps into the race, with the team asked to take the necessary steps to comply with the regulations.

Since the Australian race weekend, Red Bull have continued to have problems with the sensors at other races, something that they believe only strengthens their case.

Red Bull’s Christian Horner said: ‘We believe we’ve a very strong case. As more races have progressed issues have become more evident, new evidence has come to light, new understandings have come to light.

‘Hopefully we can present our case fairly and get the second place Daniel deserves from Melbourne.’

Part of Red Bull Racing’s appeal process is based on the understanding that the ‘technical directives’ are not the rules in which Formula One is governed.

However they are the rules in which Formula One has been based upon, something that FIA technical director Charlie Whiting was quick to point out.

‘Technical directives are opinions – and always have been – given by the technical department to the teams.

‘Normally they have been happy to follow them, although it’s always been clear they can be contested in front of the stewards.

‘For years it’s been like that. They’ve been contested probably five times.

‘It’s right to say they are not regulations, but they are there as the opinion of the technical department, and that is how most teams feel the sport is run.’ Whiting said.